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Brad Hunt · 09-25-2007, 08:29 PM

I bought an 07' 25' Safari, will braking improve if I upgrade to disc brakes? How much will it improve? Necessary on a 25 footer? Need a new brake controller? If you think it is a waste on a 25' you won't hurt my feelings because I want to know. My daily driver/TV is an 05', 2wd, 3500 Dodge diesel if that helps any. Thanks, Brad. PS I was going to take it to the AS factory to have brakes installed but only if its a real improvement

Boondocker · 09-25-2007, 08:40 PM

I considered disc brakes when I replaced the axles. Consensus at the time was, yeah they are nice, but not worth the extra money unless you have money to spend.

Gunnyusmc · 09-25-2007, 08:40 PM

I have Stainless Kodiac on my 25' Safari FB/LS/SE and it is the best up grade.
I had drum on my 24' and the braking is so much better, that I would never go back too drum.

Don

2airishuman · 09-25-2007, 08:46 PM

the discs are a definite improvement in stopping distance (reduced by 50%) and fade...

they are easier to service with fewer moving parts....

and hub balance is LESS of an issue....

i've got 45k on the 6 discs and won't have anything else.

otoh drum brakes work and are widely used.

so i think it depends some on driving style and towing expectations and other issues....

i really really like the kodiac/actibrake combo....

cheers
2air'

Inland RV Center, In · 09-25-2007, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Hunt

I bought an 07' 25' Safari, will braking improve if I upgrade to disc brakes? How much will it improve? Necessary on a 25 footer? Need a new brake controller? If you think it is a waste on a 25' you won't hurt my feelings because I want to know. My daily driver/TV is an 05', 2wd, 3500 Dodge diesel if that helps any. Thanks, Brad. PS I was going to take it to the AS factory to have brakes installed but only if its a real improvement

Disc brakes compared to electric brakes, is not "a real improvement," it's a huge one, even for your 25 footer.

Yes the initial cost may sting, but the many miles of your towing will be far more rewarding, knowing that you have the "ultimate" in travel trailer brakes.

Towing, comfortably and with peace of mind knowing you have the best, will add many smiles to your face, and your family's too.

Maximizing safety, never needs an apology.

Andy

Andy

uwe · 09-25-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I considered disc brakes when I replaced the axles. Consensus at the time was, yeah they are nice, but not worth the extra money unless you have money to spend.

I couldn't disagree more, Rodney.

Goin camping · 09-25-2007, 09:24 PM

IMHO, Drums have worked great for decades. However I like the idea that with discs the trailer can stop the truck. The info from the disc mfg's say they improve stopping distance by %47 to %50 and eliminate brake fade.

Do you need discs? Probably not. Should you have discs for the safty factor alone? I think so. Installed discs for your model ( I priced it earlier today.) will be in the nieghborhood of $2,800.00 thats less than the cost of minor to moderate front end damage if you don't stop in time. Pretty cheap when you look at it that way.

Today I got a cost of $1,600.00 for the parts to do it myself. I'll check other sources to see if anybody is selling it for less.

thecatsandi · 09-25-2007, 09:52 PM

On my 31 is is a must! I have scared a few people behind me when I have to stop quickly. It does stop quickly. I trailer is tugging on the truck. If I remember correctly. I have 27,000 lbs of stopping force on 17,000 lbs of weight. Worth thier weight in gold!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-25-2007, 10:09 PM

Hi, I'm still open for those people wanting to get rid of those crappy drum brakes on their new Airstream trailers. If you have to have the disc brakes on your new trailer with 12" drums, UPS the new drum brakes to me, [for the UPS charge] I could use a spare set. Although there has been some problems with the new disc brakes, there is no doubt that they stop somewhat better than the drums. If you tend to overload your trailer, have a marginal tow vehicle, or like to travel fast, by all means convert to disc brakes.

Not all of us are "Airstream Millionaires" so I would advise some of you out there to wear out your drums first before spending $3,000.00 for something you Want , not Need. I don't have that kind of money in my cookie jar either. [actually I don't even have a cookie jar]

Brad Hunt · 09-25-2007, 10:10 PM

Well that settles it, even 10-15% is worthwhile but 50% is much better than I hoped for. What about brake controllers? I would like to have a controller that will handle the tandem axle and the triple axle if I ever decide to buy a nice used 34'. I have one of those Dodge diesels that gets insanely good fuel economy so I just figured to buy the right controller and be done with it because the Dodge stays.

thecatsandi · 09-26-2007, 08:16 AM

My Ford tow comand (tekonsha) and prodigy works well with the actibrake acuator.
You need to find out which one they are using.

Excella CM · 09-26-2007, 08:48 AM

There's less to go wrong and it's much eassier to inspect discs. Get 'em!

rluhr · 09-26-2007, 09:33 AM

I have to chime in on the vote FOR disc brake upgrades. Drums are OK for the lighter trailers, but for a 30-footer that weighs in around 7500-8500 lbs, the four 12" drum brakes seemed lame to me. I got tired of the trailer pushing me after the brakes faded on a hard stop.

The difference with discs is almost unbelievable. The trailer stops the truck, even on major (8-10%) downgrades.

I got mine at Roger Williams Airstream in Weatherford TX, and can heartily recommend them if you live in that area. (I'm sure Inland RV and the Airstream factory can also do a good job on the upgrade.)

One word of caution: the OEM organic brake pads that came with our upgrade kit lasted less than 10k miles. Semi-metallic pads seem to be lasting much longer, and I've been told ceramic pads really last a long time.

We use the same Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller that we used with the drums. It works very well.

(ROBERTSUNRUS: My old drums are still at Roger Williams Airstream in a big pile with all the others. Ask David Tidmore if you can have 'em, with my compliments.)

uwe · 09-26-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excella CM

There's less to go wrong and it's much eassier to inspect discs. Get 'em!

They also run much more balanced than drums, resulting in less vibration, and a much better balanced hub/wheel assembly.

Tarheel · 09-26-2007, 10:39 AM

one of these days they will be installed on my 34'

Road Ruler · 09-26-2007, 10:57 AM

On our 23' too!

ljmiii · 09-26-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Hunt

I bought an 07' 25' Safari, will braking improve if I upgrade to disc brakes? How much will it improve? Necessary on a 25 footer? ... PS I was going to take it to the AS factory to have brakes installed but only if its a real improvement

I had the AS factory upgrade the brakes on my 16' Bambi from drums to discs. As others mentioned, the quantitative difference is quite dramatic (about 50%) as is the qualitative difference - towing just has a different 'feel' when the trailer can stop the tow vehicle.

Is it 'necessary' depends on your budget, TV/TT combo, and driving habits.

There are many on the forums who are very happy with their drum brakes - they tend to have very large tow vehicles and are willing to let the tow vehicle's braking (both engine and discs/drums) do most of the work.

at_wanderer · 09-26-2007, 11:21 AM

I have been told I do not want disk brakes on my trailer because they are surge operated and a general headache when backing.
I took only a few minutes to look up Kodiak's brakes and it seems to me they are not surge actuated but electyric/hydraulic? Does that mean they have an electric pump for the hydraulic fluid that is controlled by the same type of brake controller as would be used on drums?
Sorry, I am uneducated on this as well as possibly confused.
Can someone help me out?

richinny · 09-26-2007, 11:56 AM

you have it correct.

wheel interested · 09-26-2007, 01:46 PM

I am almost positive the disc brakes saved me from a collision when someone miscalculated my speed and cut me off. The distance between us narrowed fast and way too close for comfort. I was preparing mentally for impact but the rig slowed fast and hard and the only result was everything flew forward (watch those projectiles.) The brakes really grab. I know we would have hit with the drum brakes.